Though the species is restricted to southwest Montana, it is locally common at many of the sites it occupies. Additionally, threats to the species appear to be low as a result of the rocky, sparsely vegetated habitat it prefers.

Population Size

Score1 - Moderate: Generally 10,000-100,000 individuals.

Range Extent

Score3 - Local Endemic or Very Small Montana Range: Generally restricted to an area <10,000 sq. miles (equivalent to the combined area of Phillips and Valley Counties) or <6 Sub-basins (4th code watersheds) Range-wide OR limited to one Sub-basin in Montana

Area of Occupancy

Environmental Specificity

Score1 - Moderate: Species is restricted to a specific habitat that is more widely distributed or to several restricted habitats and is typically dependent upon relatively unaltered, good-quality habitat (C Values of 5-7).

Trends

ScoreNA - Rank factor not assessed.

CommentTrends unknown though populations are likely stable or experiencing only minor declines.

Threats

Score0-1 - Low to Medium.

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score0-1 - Low to Moderate Vulnerability.

Raw Conservation Status Score

Score7 to 9 total points scored out of a possible 16 (Rarity factors and threats only).

Erigeron radicatus has smaller heads and disk flowers. Erigeron ochroleucus has appressed hair on the stems, and sparsely hariy leaves; old leaf bases are generally not apparent on the caudex. Spreading hairs on the stems of E. pumilus are about 1 mm long.

Erigeron parryi was first described over 100 years ago based on a single collection made by Frank Tweedy along Grasshopper Creek in Beaverhead County, Montana. Over 50 years ago Arthur Cronquist recognized E. parryi in his monograph on the genus Erigeron (Cronquist 1947). He stated that the species was similar to E. ochroleucus, but the hair of leaves and stems was strikingly different. He hinted that E. parryi might be better considered a variety of E. ochroleucus, but since there was still only one collection, he did not formally propose a new nomenclatural combination. Eight years later Cronquist merged E. parryi into E. ochroleucus, stating that it was a rare form with spreading-hairy herbage (Cronquist 1955). Since that time several additional populations of E. parryi have been located in southwest Montana.

(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)

Habitat

Erigeron parryi occurs on skeletal, limestone-derived soils of ridge crests, slopes and outcrops at 4,500-7,000 feet. Associated vegetation is sparse and dominated by cushion plants, other low forbs and bluebunch wheatgrass. Dominant vegetation in nearby areas with more developed soils is sagebrush steppe or juniper woodland.

Erigeron parryi is a small plant that occupies habitats with sparse vegetation, suggesting that it is not tolerant of competition.

Management

At least two populations of Parry's fleabane occur in historic mining districts (Grasshopper Creek, Silver Star). Road construction and other mining-related activities could pose future threats. All known populations are subject to livestock grazing; however, it is unlikely that these small forbs are palatable, and the sparsely vegetated habitat is probably not frequented by livestock.